Lubrication is a simple process, regardless of the adjuster’s manufacturer. Both are necessary to keep the ASA working properly to maintain correct brake stroke and provide optimal stopping performance. Greasing the ASA serves two vital purposes: Forcing the new lubricant in purges the old grease from the adjuster, along with any water or contaminants that have found their way in and it protects the adjuster’s internal gear sets, clutches, and other components from wear. “And slack adjusters that don’t perform properly through lack of lubrication can have a direct impact on both safety and regulatory compliance.” As part of its Bendix Tech Tips series, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC stresses two key recommendations for automatic slack adjusters: keep them properly lubricated, and do not routinely manually adjust out-of-adjustment wheel-ends equipped with ASAs.Īll too often, we see automatic slack adjusters that are not being greased regularly during scheduled maintenance and inspections,” said Frank Gilboy, product manager, automatic slack adjusters at Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC, a joint venture between Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC and Dana Commercial Vehicle Products, LLC. Turning back a 1/2 turn usually puts the push rod at 1″of travel which is the optimal adjustment and well within the tolerance of 2″.Automatic slack adjusters (ASAs) are a key part of keeping today’s commercial vehicle brakes operating at peak performance and up to regulatory standards. If you can do what I”m telling you in this blog, you can make the brake adjustment and be on your way. The DOT inspector will measure the push road coming out of the brake chamber and if it’s more than 2″, you’ll be out of service until they’re correct. Some mechanics loosen it 1/4 turn, but I don’t want to take a chance of the brakes being too tight and dragging. Then, loosen it 1/2 turn and you should be good. Tighten it all the way you should see the S-cams move and the brake shoes tighten against the drum. It usually takes a 9/16 wrench to turn it. Locate the adjusting mechanism on the slack adjuster. If you have a car hauler, lowboy or RGN (removable goose neck) the adjustments are usually made from the top of the trailer so it’s something you do while laying on your stomach looking down. Then climb under trailer and position yourself under each brake chamber. If you’re pulling different trailers from day to day, you don’t know when the last time the brakes were inspected so it’s up to you to do it.įirstly, make sure your trailer brakes are released (keep tractor brakes engaged) and wheels chocked. You can check out their service bulletin here. Bendix, one of the largest manufacturers of brake systems recommends that you check adjustment on manual slack adjusters every month, 8000 miles or 300 operating hours. A proper lubrication schedule is sometimes overlooked, but extremely important as it will prevent most systems from early failure. Most newer tractors have self Brake Adjustment so there’s nothing to do there but maintain proper lubrication for the system to work. But don’t overlook the brakes, especially if you travel the mountains! Tires and lights are the first things most drivers look at and rightfully so. Nowadays, drivers have more and more often to work by the “drop and hook” operation and with each pre trip, they wonder what kind of surprises they’re going to find.
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